Building a website used to require hiring developers or knowing how to code. These days, intuitive website builders make it easy for beginners to create an attractive website that doesn’t break the bank. If you’re an entrepreneur, freelancer, or small business owner looking to establish an online presence, WordPress + Elementor is a great option to consider.
With beginner-friendly building tools and tons of resources available online, launching a professional WordPress website has never been easier.
WordPress is a content management system (CMS). Elementor is a website building plugin designed for WordPress.
They are one of the most popular website building combinations because they allow beginners to create flexible websites with simple customization options and intuitive design tools. WordPress + Elementor let beginners build beautiful websites with control over content, appearance, plugins and functionality.
Why WordPress Is Used by Millions of Websites
WordPress is so popular because it’s flexible. Users don’t have to settle for cookie-cutter websites that look similar to millions of others. With WordPress, users can build blogs, websites, portfolios, online stores, and more.
Whether starting small or planning to scale rapidly, WordPress has the tools and flexibility needed for users of every size to craft their unique vision without compromising on needed functionality.
Why Elementor Plugin Is Great for Beginners
Elementor allows beginners to easily customize websites using a visual drag-and-drop page builder. Rather than using confusing settings or editing lines of code, users can see their changes as they build each page.
Elementor simplifies the design process by allowing beginners to create professional websites through a process of visually arranging and editing premade sections.
How to Choose the Right Hosting Plan
WordPress itself is completely free, but users will need to decide on hosting prior to installing WordPress.
The hosting company is what hosts the website files and images on a server. Hosting affects how fast the website loads, how secure the site is, and how often the website is accessible online.
Look for hosting providers that offer the following benefits:
- Fast speed: Quick load times keep visitors on your website longer.
- Automatic backup: Backups ensure that your content is safe if anything were to happen.
- Security: Good hosting providers have strong security practices to keep your website safe.
- Customer support: Make sure your host provides responsive customer support.
- WordPress installation: Ideally, pick a host that offers 1-click WordPress installations.
The right hosting provider will keep many problems from happening. Having a good host means there will be less downtime due to upgrades and other issues.
How to Pick a Domain Name
Domain names are the address where internet users can find your website. Pick a unique name that users can remember. Having a good domain name can help users remember to visit your website. Simple domains are better than ones with lots of dashes or unusual words.
Example: Simpledomain.com
Bad: My-clever-domain-name.com
How to Install WordPress
To install WordPress, most hosting providers offer users the ability to install WordPress with just the click of a button. Installing WordPress is quick and easy. Users won’t have to tweak any complex settings or options. Once WordPress is installed, users will be given access to WordPress’s dashboard.
The WordPress dashboard is where users will build out their website. Users can add pages, blog posts, change themes, install plugins, add media, and more all from the WordPress dashboard. Users will want to familiarize themselves with the WordPress dashboard.
How to Choose a WordPress Theme Compatible With Elementor
WordPress themes determine how websites look on WordPress. Although Elementor will allow users to create custom pages, users will still want a theme that plays nicely with Elementor. Users should look to find a lightweight theme that doesn’t add many performance issues.
While there are many themes to choose from, users should look to find a theme that offers Elementor compatibility. Themes that support Elementor will provide users with a more optimized theme for building out pages with Elementor. Opting for a well-supported WordPress theme will decrease the likelihood of issues happening down the road.
Essential WordPress Pages You Should Create
Every website needs standard pages that users expect. While users don’t need to stick to only these pages, it’s a good idea to start here. Every page listed below serves a unique purpose and will help users establish a base for their website.
- Home page
- About page
- Contact page
- Services page
- Privacy page
Users can continue to build out their website however they’d like. However, these pages are strong foundations to any website. These pages will help users build trust with their visitors and make their website easier to navigate.
How to Use Elementor’s Drag and Drop Editor
Elementor provides users with a drag-and-drop website builder. Everything in Elementor is placed on the page using the drag-and-drop editor. From sections and containers to widgets. Users don’t need to know how to code to create unique and beautiful pages using Elementor.
Spend time learning how to use Elementor’s page builder. Understanding how the Elementor editor works will make designing faster and easier. The more users experiment with Elementor and learn how to use it, the better the websites they’ll build will look.
Why You Should Design Websites With Mobile Visitors in Mind
More people are surfing the web on their phones than ever before. Designing websites that look good on mobile is important. If website visitors access your website through their phone and it looks horrible, those users won’t come back.
Elementor makes it easy to design for mobile visitors. Elementor offers responsive editing tools. This allows users to edit pages specifically for mobile visitors. Users can tweak spacing, adjust text sizes, edit images, and much more specifically for mobile visitors.
5 Tips to Increase Website Speed and Performance
Website speed is important. Every second it takes for a page to load is a second for users to leave your website. There are many things users can do to keep their WordPress website running smoothly.
To Increase Website Speed, Users Should:
- Compress images before uploading them to WordPress.
- Delete plugins not in use.
- Turn on caching.
- Optimize their WordPress theme.
- Keep WordPress and plugins up to date.
Website speed shouldn’t be something users only consider after their website is built. Speed should always be kept in mind to provide website visitors with the best experience possible. Users will have a better chance of growing their website if their website loads quickly.
How to Pick the Right WordPress Plugins
Plugins are how WordPress users extend the functionality of their website. Plugins allow users to add features like forms, security, backups, search engine optimization, and even build an online store. While users should feel free to install plugins that will benefit their websites, too many plugins can cause problems.
Here’s a quick comparison of essential aspects and features to consider while utilizing WordPress with Elementor.
| Feature | WordPress | Elementor | Key Benefit |
| Usage | Content management system (CMS) | Drag-and-drop page builder | Comprehensive site control |
| Customization | Themes and Plugins | Premade sections and widgets | Highly flexible |
| Skill Requirement | Technical Understanding Optional | No Coding Required | Beginner-friendly |
| Purpose | Blogs, eCommerce, Portfolios | Visual design editing | Versatile website creation |
With this breakdown, you can see how WordPress and Elementor complement each other for a complete website-building experience.
Users should only install plugins that they know they will use. Installing too many plugins can cause speed issues and sometimes create security vulnerabilities. Only install plugins that offer real value and are well maintained by developers.
Keyword Basics for Beginners
Search means visitors are searching for information online. When users search Google or another search engine, they are typically looking for answers. If your website lives somewhere within Google’s billions of searchable pages, then you have the opportunity to provide those visitors with answers.
WordPress offers users many different tools and plugins to allow for basic optimization. By creating helpful blog posts, providing users with a clear navigational menu, and focusing on what your visitors are looking for, users can build a foundation that will allow for long-term success.
Create and Publish Your First WordPress Post
Content is king. Users will want to ensure that they’re creating useful content for their website visitors. Content can come in many forms such as blog posts, services offered, about us, products, tutorials, and more. Content will be the cornerstone of what users build on their website.
Users should try to publish as much quality content as possible. Content doesn’t always have to be a blog post. Simply updating the About page or adding a new service can be considered publishing content.
Keep Learning and Growing Your Website
Building a website is just the beginning of your WordPress journey. Users should look to continuously improve their website by keeping content fresh, monitoring security, optimizing speed, and updating WordPress regularly. Users should focus on growing their website and trying to provide as much value as possible to their website visitors.